How Much is Enough
In December 2006, I participated in an interesting workshop called “Beyond Schumacher: alternatives approaches to economics and sustainability perspectives for the 21st century” in Northeast of Thailand. This seminar was aimed at bringing together theories of sustainable development, and lessons learned from lived experiences in juggling social, environmental and economic priorities. It was organized by Ales Kauffman, a sustainable development practitioner and former graduate of the Bath School of Management, Responsibility and Business Practice MSc.
My friends and colleagues working together in training and human resources development in Sri Lanka, Ineke Pitts, Mihirini De Zoysa and Robert Vanderwall developed an interactive inquiry session based on World Café called How Much is Enough ?
Posing questions such as How Much is Enough ? we encouraged a lively and challenging debate, and crafted a premise for inquiry into self and the future of our planet and our species. We engaged participants on an individual and collective focus on the rationale and key drivers for corporate decision making, as business runs the world.
Leveraging the knowledge and experience of the participants who were academics, business people, grass roots practitioners from NGOs to government officials, created a lively debate as to how we need to take personal responsibility in changing the current way to running the world. We agreed that ethical and responsible leadership based on a set of values that are aligned to the earth’s substance is important. In order to do this, we need to become aware of our actions and become mindful of the impact it has on nature and society. We also lamented that there is long way to go to break down the current systems that are in place, which act against nature and a peaceful society.
The question we need to ask ourselves as we struggle to find our place in this work is How Much is Enough ? for us to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life.
The following paper was handed out to all participants at the conference.
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Grappling with how much is enough is a personal struggle for many people. In accumulating wealth, no one is sure as to how much will be enough for us to live a secure future. As such, the accumulation of wealth happens more out of fear disguised as desire and opportunity.
So, the challenge for us is to address this fear. Life is uncertain. It is full of surprises. We die some day. It is our mind that churns out these fears that make us act in ways to mitigate the fear. There is a certain perceived security in possessing wealth. We know money cannot buy happiness, but we know it can give us a certain security in an uncertain world.
To add to this, the general universal measurement of success is based on wealth one has accumulated. We admire and are in awe of people with wealth. We aspire to be like them and live like them without really understanding their realities.
Yet, perceptions are changing as the reality of limitations of wealth is dawning on more and more people as they accumulate wealth across the world. It is happening to people at a younger age and once you have lived the high life for a while, the superficiality of it dawns. This is evident by the emergence of a spiritual resurgence especially in the west. So many are now embarking on a different journey to find a new kind of wealth - a wealth based on wisdom and spirituality.
This journey requires not the cultivation of ways to make money, but to cultivate the mind, to control the mind from being afraid of the future, to which the reaction is to accumulate wealth at any cost - social and environmental.
This wisdom also brings the heart into the equation. The heart is the future. The heart is not afraid of the future, so if we can cultivate the mind to balance with the heart, we maybe able to alley our fears of the future, which drives us to create monetary wealth.
So, it comes down to the individual’s who have to inquire into self and our motivation to live the way we live. Mindfulness and self awareness gives us a different kind of power, not based on money and position, but a personal power, based on who we are and how we live and love.
If this is the case, we could also influence the way institutions are run, be it governments, donor agencies and corporations, which define how the world is run. We are aware that these institutions support a divided world – the rich and the poor, through its policies and actions in the name of economics. We know that these institutions promote the institutionalization of poverty. It serves their larger economic purpose to use the power of monetary wealth to control the world.
This is why we tend to accept the aberrations and support continuing to live the way we do. The GDP measurement in economics ruins our environment as it does not internalize the social and environmental cost of development. The vast US dollar reserves of India and China fund and support the wasteful lifestyle of the people in the USA while so many people starve in India and Africa. The arms industry thrives in the G8 countries and it only makes sense to find markets for their more and more sophisticated wares.
The scapegoats are the poor countries who are also fighting their mini battles ultimately for their power based on monetary wealth. The oil industry goes to any length to keep their markets alive by standing in the way of renewable energy and the list goes on.
There has been no time ever where information has been so freely available as now. Our job is to make even more people aware. Aware, first of all of the anomalies that they face in their day to day life and then to help them to seek a different path and a set of values based not only on monetary wealth, but spiritual wealth. There has to be a balance between money and spirituality. Love and compassion through respect for each other should be the new currency of life.
So, How Much is Enough ? becomes very much an individual inquiry into the way we live. Becoming mindful about our thought, speech and action could be a way to begin.
Lalith Gunaratne Colombo, Sri Lanka
Revised in December 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
I hate my fucking depression
I hate my fucking depression. It is getting the best out of me. I do not really care for more meds...I wish it would go away.
There really is no reason for me to be depressed... I guess my quemical imbalance is for real.
There really is no reason for me to be depressed... I guess my quemical imbalance is for real.
Friday, February 09, 2007
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIFE
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIFE
INSTRUCTIONS F O R L I F E 1
1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three Rs: Respect for self Respect for others and Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIFE - 2ND EDITION
1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
2. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
3. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
4. When you say, "I love you", mean it.;
5. When you say, "I'm sorry", look the person in the eye.
6. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
7. Believe in love at first sight.
8. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
9. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt, but it's the only way to live life completely.
10. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
11. Don't judge people by their relatives.
12. Talk slowly, but think quickly.
13. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
14. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
15. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
16. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
17. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
18. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
19. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
20. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
21. Spend some time alone.
22. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
23. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
24. Read more books and watch less TV.
25. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time.
26. Trust in God, but lock your car.
27. Create a loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious home.
28. In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
29. Read between the lines.
30. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
31. Be gentle with the earth.
32. Pray. There's immeasurable power in it.
33. Never interrupt when you are being flattered.
34. Mind your own business.
35. Don't trust a man/woman who doesn't close his/her eyes when you kiss.
36. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
37. If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction.
38. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.
39. Learn the rules then break some.
40. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
41. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
42. Remember that your character is your destiny.
43. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
INSTRUCTIONS F O R L I F E 1
1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three Rs: Respect for self Respect for others and Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIFE - 2ND EDITION
1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
2. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
3. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
4. When you say, "I love you", mean it.;
5. When you say, "I'm sorry", look the person in the eye.
6. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
7. Believe in love at first sight.
8. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
9. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt, but it's the only way to live life completely.
10. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
11. Don't judge people by their relatives.
12. Talk slowly, but think quickly.
13. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
14. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
15. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
16. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
17. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
18. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
19. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
20. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
21. Spend some time alone.
22. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
23. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
24. Read more books and watch less TV.
25. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time.
26. Trust in God, but lock your car.
27. Create a loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious home.
28. In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
29. Read between the lines.
30. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
31. Be gentle with the earth.
32. Pray. There's immeasurable power in it.
33. Never interrupt when you are being flattered.
34. Mind your own business.
35. Don't trust a man/woman who doesn't close his/her eyes when you kiss.
36. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
37. If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction.
38. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.
39. Learn the rules then break some.
40. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
41. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
42. Remember that your character is your destiny.
43. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Depression, bipolar support group forms
Depression, bipolar support group forms
Thursday, January 25, 2007 9:18 AM CST
By ASHLEY GARDNER
Texarkana Gazette
People who suffer from depression or bipolar disorder have more support available to them thanks to the newly-formed Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance-Texarkana.
“There really isn’t a whole lot here in East Texas once you get outside of Dallas that is peer-support based, which in my opinion is most effective,” said Martin Morones, who helped form the local support group.
Morones said mental illness still has a stigma attached that may prevent people from seeking support.
He’s trying to change that.
“The stigma behind it is what I think people shun away from,” Morones said.
He hopes in time to see DBSA-Texarkana turn into a thriving support system in the community.
“We are starting with a support group and we’ll see what happens from there. It could branch out into a lot of different things, but this is just the basic foundation,” Morones said.
The local support group is affiliated with the National Office of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, which has a grassroots network of approximately 1,000 peer-run support groups across the U.S. and Canada.
The support groups are open to people suffering from depression or bipolar disorder, their family members and professionals. The DBSA group meets at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at CHRISTUS St. Michael, classroom 2. For more information, contact Rachel Clark at 903-701-3596 or Morones at 903-748-0833 or dbsatexarkana@yahoo.com.
Thursday, January 25, 2007 9:18 AM CST
By ASHLEY GARDNER
Texarkana Gazette
People who suffer from depression or bipolar disorder have more support available to them thanks to the newly-formed Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance-Texarkana.
“There really isn’t a whole lot here in East Texas once you get outside of Dallas that is peer-support based, which in my opinion is most effective,” said Martin Morones, who helped form the local support group.
Morones said mental illness still has a stigma attached that may prevent people from seeking support.
He’s trying to change that.
“The stigma behind it is what I think people shun away from,” Morones said.
He hopes in time to see DBSA-Texarkana turn into a thriving support system in the community.
“We are starting with a support group and we’ll see what happens from there. It could branch out into a lot of different things, but this is just the basic foundation,” Morones said.
The local support group is affiliated with the National Office of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, which has a grassroots network of approximately 1,000 peer-run support groups across the U.S. and Canada.
The support groups are open to people suffering from depression or bipolar disorder, their family members and professionals. The DBSA group meets at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at CHRISTUS St. Michael, classroom 2. For more information, contact Rachel Clark at 903-701-3596 or Morones at 903-748-0833 or dbsatexarkana@yahoo.com.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
What the !@#$ Do We Know?
I just finished watching WTBDWK Down The Rabbit Hole...
My words would not be enough to describe the incredible paradigm these movies present to the viewer... Without much ado here is link(s) to the movie's synopsis and web page(s)
http://www.whatthebleep.com/synopsis/
They will blow your mind! For Real!
My words would not be enough to describe the incredible paradigm these movies present to the viewer... Without much ado here is link(s) to the movie's synopsis and web page(s)
http://www.whatthebleep.com/synopsis/
They will blow your mind! For Real!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Life and Living for Real
It has been a long time since I have posted anything original here...I don't see how other people can post paragraph after paragraph and spew what they do in a short period of time...Must be the speed of typing that is at stake here... I only type at half of the average speed most "normal" typing folks type at... Anyway, Been charting my moods religiously now for a few months and my chart looks like the stock market charts...LOL up and down...
I've got writer's cramps already, so I will conclude this mini post by saying that my life has been going exactly the way it is supposed to be going...Everything is in Divine Order.
Thank God for allowing me the opportunity to be alive and relativelly well one more day. Hope if you come accross this humble post it finds you well and enjoying life to the best of your ability...
As Robin Williams says...Carpe Diem.
I've got writer's cramps already, so I will conclude this mini post by saying that my life has been going exactly the way it is supposed to be going...Everything is in Divine Order.
Thank God for allowing me the opportunity to be alive and relativelly well one more day. Hope if you come accross this humble post it finds you well and enjoying life to the best of your ability...
As Robin Williams says...Carpe Diem.
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